Marxist economist Ashok Mitra dead

Kolkata, May 1 (IANS) Eminent Marxist economist Ashok Mitra, who served as chief economic adviser during Indira Gandhi’s prime ministerial tenure and as Finance Minister of West Bengal, passed away at a nursing home here on Tuesday following old age complications. He was 89.

The Sahitya Akademi awardee was a widower.

Mitra, who was minister in the state’s Left Front government, was hospitalised for almost a month with complaints of diarrhoea and later developed respiratory problems. He passed away at 9.15 a.m.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Mitra’s death.

“Saddened at the passing away of noted economist, former Finance Minister of Bengal and former Rajya Sabha MP, Dr Ashok Mitra. He had a long career with the World Bank, IIM Calcutta and as Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India. Condolences to his family &amp; well wishers,” she said in a tweet.